Reviews | DC Blues

Reviews

Blues Matters - The Tyneside Americana Blues Festival at Cullercoats Crescent Club 2024

After a hearty breakfast the main stage came alive with Yorkshire based DC Blues, fronted by the effervescent Paul Winn, vocalist, and harmonica player. Accompanied by a tight band with Lloyd Massingham on lead guitar, Ben Darwin on bass guitar, Paul Thompson on drums, and Stephen Brandon on keyboards. They marked their territory with a unique rendition of Rollin’ & Tumblin’. Their chemistry was evident, highlighted by a powerful keyboard performance. They explored diverse styles, infusing gospel vibes into "Take Me Down" and igniting the crowd with the energetic "Who Do You Love" which featured a well received drum solo by “Tommo". The performance concluded memorably with "Nervous Fella" with Paul engaging the crowd in a participatory treat.

Review of DC Blues at Leeds Blues Club 25th July 2024

It can get very boring listening to the endless debates about what blues music actually is. Personally I delight in the variety of what’s currently on offer with a healthy crop of young talented musicians coming through into the ‘blues scene’ with some fantastic stuff, but every now and again, at a live gig what you really want is some good old fashioned balls out blues rock entertainment and when it is done well with enthusiasm and fun, well it is certainly difficult to resist.

That’s what you get with DC Blues. Fronted by the ebullient frontman Paul Winn who is well known on the blues scene in Yorkshire as one of the trio on the popular ‘Blues from the Ouse’ radio show along with his best mate and razor sharp bass player Ben Darwin. They also run Ryedale Blues Club as well as organising York Blues Festival which is becoming a fixture in the early season festival calendar.

The show gets off to a powerful start with ‘Back To You’ bringing some early blasts from Paul’s harp and Hammond overlays from the magnificent Steve Brandon as well as some searing guitar licks from the highly impressive Lloyd Massingham. The show continues with Rollin’ and Tumblin’ which gets the enthusiastic crowd well into rocking mode. The first set continues in similar vein before the band show their versatility with some slow blues including ‘Bitter Man’ and later with ‘Loan me a Dime.’

The second set sees Paul introduce his friend Anna Brownlee from the band Dirty Ruby to join them on stage for a wonderful version of ‘Stormy Monday’ with Paul admitting that it was the first time they had played it as a band and the first time that Anna had sung with them, you wouldn’t have known. The set reached a crescendo with ‘Who do you Love’ featuring an extended solo from the terrific ‘T Bone Tommo’ on the drums and concluded with their popular ‘Nervous Fella’ delivering some enthusiastic participation from the willing crowd. They weren’t going to get away without doing an encore so a bit of ZZ and ‘La Grange’ brought the night to a close.

It would be easy to dismiss DC Blues as just another working band on the blues scene, but they are so much more than that. Their self deprecating front in some ways hides the fact that they are also terrific musicians who just love to put on a great show. Wherever you see DC Blues listed in a What’s on guide or on a festival line up then make sure you go and see them. You will be sure to have a great time.

Saltburn Blues Club - Jan 2024

The blues came up from the Delta, the Mississippi Delta, but in tonight’s case from the Ouse Delta, to New Marske Institute. DC Blues hail from York, and these guys know a thing or two about that kind of music as singer Paul Winn and bassist Ben Darwin not only host a radio show Blues From The Ouse, but also organise York Blues Festival, so they deserve some kudos even if they couldn’t play a note between them. But they can! Along with Lloyd Massingham on guitar, Steve Brandon on keys and Paul Thompson on drums. This band build a driving, energetic sound and their understanding of dynamics is best displayed on their signature "Somebody Loan Me A Dime". Instrumentally, Steve widens the attack by switching from his Hammond sound to introduce electric piano, facing off Paul on harp and fending off Lloyd’s fluent guitar licks, and when they fall into a boogie (and they like a boogie or two), you need a rhythm section like Ben and Tommo to knit the band tight, a platform for Paul’s capable vocals. When vintners discuss wine, they ask, “Does it travel?” Be assured the blues can, all the way from the Ouse and DC Blues proved it tonight.

Blues Matters - The Great British Rock & Blues Festival, Skegness - Jan 2023
The opening act on the Blues Matters stage was Yorkshire band DC Blues, a hard hitting 5 piece band led by the mercurial frontman Paul Winn on harmonica, his vocal delivery throughout this set was very good and the rhythm section of Ben Darwin and drummer Paul Thompson really shone through. Add to this the guitar artistry of Lloyd Massingham and the chemistry flows in this blues intoxicated laboratory. Steve Brandon on keys was the icing on this slick and enjoyable performance, mixing blues styles and reinterpreting such standards as "Who Do You Love" & "Somebody Loan Me A Dime" with a funky slow sexy feel.

Tight band as an opener and this was a memorable performance.

Blues Matters - Hallelujah Festival - Hartlepool - Nov 2022
Today saw the Yorkshire outfit DC Blues start the musical shenanigans. Comprising of Paul Winn on Harmonica and lead vocals, he plays off his bass man Ben Darwin who is also a fellow presenter of the popular radio show "Blues From The Ouse" on Jorvik Radio on Wednesday nights. This adds to the camaraderie in the band and influences set numbers I'm sure.

They are joined by Lloyd Massingham on guitar and vocals, Paul Thompson on drums and adding keyboards was the wonderfully talented Stephen Brandon. They started with Tore Down and then moved a pace to Rollin' & Tumblin'. Paul is a wonderful frontman but quite self-deprecating and lets the music tell its story. Bitter Man is a case in point, very poignant. They played a couple of JJ Grey tunes, the best being Georgia Warhorse with some pulsating sonics throughout.

Great tunes, a great band… what’s not to like?

Blues Matters - Album Review - Dec 2022

Live At Sedgefield Rock & Blues Club

DC Blues Band are a five-piece hailing from Yorkshire. They are fronted by the effervescent Paul Winn, vocalist and Harmonica player. He is accompanied by Lloyd Massingham on Lead Guitar, Ben Darwin on Bass, Paul Thompson on drums and Stephen Brandon on keyboards. Playing live they are a joy to behold, they are a tight band who really enjoy playing to a crowd. Various quips and banter are not unknown at their many events. This atmosphere has been caught in the moment on this newest release.

Nine tracks, two self-penned, slow mellow blues tune "Bitter Man" and final track, the catchy rocky tones of "Nervous Fella" offering their own style of blues and the band’s chemistry seems well gelled. The opening bars to Back To You are punctuated by Harmonica tones and then the band comes in with punchy rhythm. Fine vocals from Paul throughout and enjoyed by a rapt audience. Rollin’ & Tumblin’ next has a swagger of its own, especially like the organ tones, while the backbeat is rocky then guitars take the fore and a jam like feel ensues, superb! Two JJ Grey numbers, Georgia Warhorse and Mississippi were given a different tone exhibiting what a talented band this is, Harmonica tones filled the Hall, and that rhythm section are great. Steady Rollin’ Man was given a full-on powerful approach. Bo Diddley’s "Who Do You Love" sounded excellent and their interpretation was upbeat. Loan Me A Dime was astounding, full of mellow notation and wonderful musicianship.

Highly recommended, go and see this band when you can.

Album Review

Blues Matters - York Blues Festival - April 2022
This is a Blues Festival with its own house band DC Blues and if you are as talented as Paul Winn and Ben Darwin co-hosts why not highlight your own band.

Not only are these two high class musicians but they also have a radio show, Blues From The Ouse broadcast locally on Jorvik Radio. They had over seven hundred applicants to play this prestigious event, how they managed to whittle it down to eight is a mammoth task in itself but it worked and great thanks to them and fellow organisers for making this such a success!

Their band took the stage to great applause from local supporters and new ones. The band comprise of Paul Winn, lead singer & Harmonica player, Ben Darwin, Bass player, Stephen Brandon on Hammond Organ, Lloyd Massingham on Guitar and Paul Thompson on Drums. Together they sound impressive and put on another impressive performance, mixing all things blues, adding fun and lots of Yorkshire humour references throughout the set. Paul is a great frontman and gels this outfit well on stage. Opening with Back To You, they mixed lots of styles. Rollin’ & Tumblin' was particularly impressive, the drumming superb! You Mind My Business was in your face rocking blues, just superb! The tempo slowed down for Bitter Man, which was a slow bluesy number and very atmospheric and took in a smoky feel. Something Funky did just that and had the dance floor boogie feel with Ben being particularly adroit on the bassline. The interaction between the musicians was excellent, each really looking like they were enjoying every note of every song and this reflected on the audience reaction & upped the happy ambience in the building. I Can Tell was just pure maximum Yorkshire R&B and an absolute delight. They finished with an original track called Nervous Fella and ending a most enjoyable set. Hard bluesin' at its best! A cohesive band of top-class musicians, what is not to like?

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